$5 Half Eagle Liberty Head

$5 Half Eagle Liberty Head Gold Coin – Compare Prices and Premiums

The $5 Half Eagle Liberty Head, also called the Coronet Head Half Eagle, is a pre‑1933 U.S. gold coin minted by the United States Mint for everyday circulation. Struck from a 90% gold, 10% copper alloy and containing 0.2419 troy ounces of pure gold, it bridges investor demand for fractional gold with the historic appeal of 19th‑ and early 20th‑century U.S. coinage. Use this page to compare live dealer pricing and find the lowest premium over spot for your budget and collecting goals.

Design and History

Designed by Christian Gobrecht, the obverse presents a left‑facing Liberty wearing a coronet inscribed LIBERTY, framed by thirteen stars with the date below. This “Coronet” obverse led to the common name Liberty Head $5 gold coin. The reverse features a heraldic eagle with a shield on its breast, clutching an olive branch and arrows to represent peace and preparedness; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and FIVE D. encircle the design. Mint marks appear below the eagle for branch mints: O for New Orleans, S for San Francisco, CC for Carson City, and D for Denver; Philadelphia issues show no mint mark.

The Liberty Head Half Eagle ran from 1839 through 1908, with two main reverse types: No Motto (1839–1866) and With Motto (1866–1908) after IN GOD WE TRUST was added above the eagle. As a $5 legal‑tender coin, it circulated widely in commerce, paying wages, facilitating bank transactions, and moving across the country during westward expansion. Many pieces saw hard use, which is why higher‑grade survivors and scarce dates carry numismatic premiums today.

Specifications favored real‑world utility and durability: 8.359 grams total weight (0.2687 troy oz), 0.900 fineness with 0.2419 troy oz of pure gold, approximately 21.6 mm diameter, and a reeded edge. There were no fixed mintage limits; yearly outputs varied significantly by mint and economic conditions, ranging from very low productions to large runs. Collectors note special interest in low‑mintage and conditionally rare issues, while bullion buyers often target common‑date circulated coins for their gold content.

Highlights

Pre‑1933 U.S. $5 gold coin minted 1839–1908; With Motto subtype from 1866–1908.

Contains 0.2419 troy ounces of pure gold in a durable 90% gold alloy.

Obverse: Liberty Head with coronet and 13 stars; reverse: heraldic eagle with shield, olive branch, and arrows.

Struck at multiple U.S. Mint facilities; mint marks O, S, CC, D; Philadelphia has no mint mark.

Originally issued for circulation and used in everyday transactions across the United States.

Appeals to investors seeking fractional pre‑1933 gold and to collectors building date‑and‑mint sets.

Premiums vary by date, mint, and condition; compare dealer prices to identify the best value over spot.

Design, Mintages, and Varieties

The Liberty Head $5 spans a long production window with important variations that affect value and collectability. Early No Motto reverses (1839–1866) lack IN GOD WE TRUST, while later issues (1866–1908) include the motto above the eagle. Branch‑mint output created regional rarities and distinctive collecting targets. Notable low‑mintage and conditionally scarce issues can command premiums far above melt, while plentiful common dates often trade closer to intrinsic value. Because original mintages and survival rates differ by year and mint, date selection may impact both your acquisition cost and long‑term liquidity.

Buying Considerations

For bullion‑focused buyers, common‑date circulated examples typically offer the tightest spreads relative to gold content. For collectors, eye appeal, originality, and certified grade from respected services can be decisive. Avoid cleaned or damaged pieces if you seek long‑term numismatic value. Check specifications—weight, diameter, and edge reeding—and confirm mint marks when applicable. Pricing reflects spot gold plus a premium driven by date, mint, grade, and market demand; comparing multiple offers helps identify competitive opportunities without overpaying for numismatic features you may not need.

FAQ

Q: What is the gold content of the $5 Half Eagle Liberty Head?
A: Each coin contains 0.2419 troy ounces of pure gold within a 90% gold, 10% copper alloy.

Q: When were Liberty Head Half Eagles minted?
A: The series ran from 1839 to 1908. Coins made from 1866 to 1908 feature the motto IN GOD WE TRUST on the reverse; earlier pieces do not.

Q: Where is the mint mark located?
A: On the reverse below the eagle. O, S, CC, and D denote New Orleans, San Francisco, Carson City, and Denver; Philadelphia coins have no mint mark.

Q: Are these coins legal tender?
A: Yes, they remain U.S. legal tender with a face value of five dollars, though their gold value far exceeds face value.

Q: Did the U.S. Mint set mintage limits for this coin?
A: No fixed limits applied. Annual mintages varied by year and mint, resulting in both plentiful common dates and scarce issues with low survival.

Q: What affects the price beyond gold content?
A: Date, mint mark, condition, originality, and market demand influence premiums. Common dates in circulated grades generally carry lower premiums than scarce dates or certified high‑grade coins.

Q: How were these coins used when issued?
A: They circulated as everyday money, facilitating trade, payrolls, and banking transactions across the United States and abroad.

Q: Should I buy graded or raw examples?
A: For bullion stacking, raw common‑date coins can be cost‑effective. For collectible or scarce dates, third‑party certification can help verify authenticity and condition, which often supports liquidity and pricing.

Q: Will I receive a specific date?
A: Many listings sell random dates and mints based on current inventory. If you need a particular issue, confirm availability before purchasing.

FindBullionPrices.com tracks prices from some of the most trusted and reputable online bullion dealers to help find the lowest prices on $5 Half Eagle Liberty Head.

The gold prices on our site for coins and bullion are updated hourly and adjusted with gold spot price. We give you the tools to compare prices of gold coins from well-reviewed bullion dealers.

Comparing prices for Liberty 5 Gold Half Eagles across multiple bullion dealers help to ensure that you pay the lowest price.

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